The Dirt on the DRS Blog Hop!

Stamps by DRS Designs: 'Leonard's Bathtime Buddies', 'Hogwash Saying'. Cardstock: GP110 white. Ink: Verafine brown, Pretty in Pink. Accessories: Prismacolor pencils, turpenoid.

Here's peek at two of the latest DRS Designs' stamps to be released on April 4th -- aren't they fun? I actually made this card for the DRS one layer blog challenge before realizing that these stamps had not yet been released. Now that I can show you this sample of the new Leonard the Pig line, it can also be a reminder that you still have until Sunday, April 5th to participate in that challenge and be entered in the drawing for a set of notecards, an ink pad and an unmounted image. Check out the Challenge #17 post for full details.

**To make the latest DRS Designs release even more exciting, DRS is hosting a Blog Hop on April 3rd! Start out at the DRS blog and travel around to all the Design Team members' blogs to see the new designs showcased and have your chance to win one set of new releases for yourself!

Birthday Cutie Pie!

Stamps: Here for the Party, May Your Birthday sentiment. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, copics, Versamark. Cardstock: Real Red, Ballet Blue, GP110 white. Accessories: white EP, Nestabilities Tags, circle punches, striped grosgrain ribbon, scallop border punch.

This party girl is one of the newly released Cutie Pie Kids from DRS Designs which feature kids being kids! Check out the DRS blog for more birthday cuties, perfect for kid birthdays or more grown-up Copic coloring fun.

Well-Dressed Tilda

Stamps: Tilda with Tag, Swing, Papertrey 'Mixed Messages'. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics. Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey ' Porcelain' DP, Papertrey white. Accessories: Oval Nestabilities, wide organdy ribbon, white gel pen, hole punch.

Isn't paper piecing fun? It's a great way to add pattern to an outfit like the lacy pinafore on this sweet Tilda which is a pattern pulled from the new Basic Grey 'Porcelain' DP. The sketch is based on the Magnolia-licious March Sketch Challenge.

Check out the KL Stampin' N Scrappin' blog for more details on this card and be sure to link your paper pieced creation to the March Paper Piecing Challenge over on PaperCrafts Planet for a chance to win some great blog candy!

Simply Fun

Today's DRS blog challenge is to create one layer cards. It sounded so simple until I actually started working on it! Isn't it amazing that as a stamper's style evolves, going back to the basics can be one of the biggest challenges of all?

'Easter Blooms' showcases a single large image on a simple white base; the sentiment is masked off from another image since I needed a small font to fit under the main image:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Framed Daffodil , Christ is Risen Cross. Ink: Memento, Copics. Cardstock: Papertrey white. Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folder, Martha Stewart ribbon, yellow satin ribbon, Stardust glitter pen.

Here are the Copic markers used:

Since the card has only one layer, I added texture by using the Cuttlebug 'Just My Type' embossing border placed slightly in from the left edge, and then added embossed margins with the Scor-pal:

The butterfly was accented with a Stardust glitter pen for a little extra sparkle:

For my fellow House Mouse fans, these cards are Clean and Simple, too, using only a pre-embossed card base with a single image colored with pencils and turpenoid; the sentiments are from Papertrey's 'Mixed Messages':

A few accents like Crystal Effects on the ornament and flocking on the Santa hat and cottonball really make these images pop. This is such a fun and simple way to create a personalized gift set of cards!

Simplify your life, or at least your stamping -- you may be pleasantly surprised with a return to the Clean and Simple (CAS) style.

**Be sure to stop by the DRS blog to see what CAS creations the other Design Team members have posted for the challenge. Link your own cards to the Challenge #17 post for a chance to win blog candy!!

Spring Beginnings

Spring is in the air (at least a few days every week) here in Illiniois! Spring always symbolizes a time of new beginnings, including lots of baby animals. DRS Designs has newly released cute and cuddly images perfect for Easter cards.


Here's a sneak peek of one of my favorites:



Be sure to stop by the DRS blog today to see the full card and others featuring all the new Spring babies!

Light Up My Life

In the mood for a little more light in your life? How about the gift of light that's also a card? Try the votive card! Here's a version I showcased today on the KL Scrappin N Stampin blog; be sure to stop by there for more photos and details, including the tutorial link:

Stamps: Magnolia 'Edwin with Lantern', Like it a Latte, Hero Arts 'Sky's the Limit'. Ink: Memento, Copics, Chocolate Chip, Versamagic 'Pink Petunia'. Cardstock: Textured River Rock, Basic Grey 'Bittersweet', Basic Grey 'Bittersweet Card Kit', vellum, GP110 white. Accessories: white gel pen, heart punch, Stardust glitter pen, pink grosgrain ribbon, Basic Grey button, Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

And here's a winter version that was featured on the DRS blog:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Large snowflake M238, Snowflake ribbon slide D932, Interlocking Snowflake background H015, Back in Time sentiment H674, Swirl Snowflakes F168, Handmade by C264. Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Night of Navy, vellum.Ink: Baja Breeze, Night of Navy, Versamark. Accessories: Iridescent EP, Winter Wonderland EP, blue velvet ribbon, scallop border punch, flameless votive candle.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Irish may be the one nationality missing from my mixed pedigree, but I can still appreciate the green shamrocks of the holiday, especially when they are showcased on a stunning stained glass background:
Stamps: Large Oval Stained Glass, Happy St. Pat's Day sentiment. Ink: Green galore, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics. Cardstock: Textured white, vellum. Accessories: green grosgrain ribbon, gold stickles.

Doesn't this stained glass background really make the shamrocks pop?

This card was definitely one of those learning experiences! I originally wanted to create a window effect, but the shape of the stained glass really didn't fit with any of my oval Nesties without removing a large portion of the image, so I ended up adhering it directly on the carstock. The colors on the stained glass ended up more vibrant when backed with the white, so it was a happy accident.

Not so happy was the realization that Stickles and vellum are not the best of friends; the stained glass edge was a bit rippled once the Stickles was applied. Oh well, live and learn! And keep on experimenting because occasionally you do end up with those happy accidents!

Is That a Mouse on Your Cupcake??

Stamps: Stampabilities 'Birthday Cupcake', Hero Arts 'Cupcakes'. Ink: Versafine Onyx black. Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Basic Grey 'Cupcake' DP. Accessories: Prismacolor pencils, turpenoid, Basic Grey 'Gypsy' ribbon, Stardust glitter pen, square, circle, and long rectangle Nestabilities .

KL Scrappin' N Stampin' is sponsoring today's challenge on the House Mouse & Friends blog and to make it even more fun, the challenge is a sketch, my all-time favorite challenge! Here's the sketch:

What a perfect sketch for showcasing DPs, Nestabilities, and of course, mice!

Isn't it funny that both of the stamps and the DP I used are all named 'Cupcake'? I didn't realize it until I was typing the description, but maybe that's why they all went together so easily! I've been into paper piecing lately (reverting to my paper dolls days??), and you can see in this detail photo that the frosting and cupcake liner are both pieced:

**KLSNS is sponsoring a March Paper Piecing Challenge on Paper Craft Planet. The prize includes a Basic Grey 6" x 6" pack of DP and a Magnolia stamp, so be sure to join the fun for a chance to win these goodies!

This card started out a little heavier in the Designer Paper department because once I open a Basic Grey pack, it's hard to leave any of those coordinating papers behind. I realize, though, that my favorite cards are those that are less cluttered. I managed to decrease the printed papers, but I couldn't resist adding a touch of sparkle to the 'Fun' in the sentiment:

Be sure to stop by the House Mouse & Friends Blog today. Their Design Team features incredible talent and you can't beat the cute factor of a House Mouse card, always good for a smile!

Got Scraps?

Then use them!!

Stamps: Hero Arts 'Happiness Messages'. Ink: Chocolate Chip. Cardstock: Textured white, Basic Grey 'Bittersweet' DP.

I've been inspired by my friend's (Donelda of Wiggy's World) challenge to use cardstock scraps to create cards; now I've finally decided to give it a try!

For full details on this card, including how to cut these diamonds without all of my original trial and error, be sure to check out the KL Scrappin' N Stampin' blog.

The Beauty of Stained Glass

Stained glass has always fascinated me. I'm old enough to have attended many churches when stained glass windows were still their main windows. There is definitely something awe-inspiring being bathed in the colorful reflections of depicted scenes! While I was in college, friends and I had the chance to visit Paris. France was an experience in many ways, but what I remember most isn't the cheap hotel, multitude of cheese sandwiches (the only item we could order in French), or even the grandeur of Notre Dame; it's the sunlight streaming through the ceiling to floor windows of Ste. Chapelle:

This is a photo by Ricardo André Frantz; I wanted to use my own photo, but our scanner is currently on strike and my photo was taken long before the days of digital cameras!

DRS Designs carries several stained glass stamps and has a tutorial describing different ways to use them to create your own masterpieces.

The stained glass image is stamped first and then a second image is stamped over the stained glass pattern. In this card, I stamped the glass pattern on vellum and then stamped the Christ is Risen (with sentiment masked out because it would have been lost in the glass pattern) over top. The cross and lilies were colored in first and then the remaining glass pattern is colored using a random pattern of coordinating colors :

Stamps by DRS Designs: Large Oval Stained Glass, Christ is Risen, Easter sentiment. Ink: Versamark, Memento, Copics, white gel pen. Cardstock: Black textured, Creative Memories yellow, vellum, GP110 white. Accessories: oval Nestabilities, wide white organdy.

Inside the card is a white panel which makes the vellum colors more vivid when the card is closed.

The reason I chose vellum is the effect when displayed in front of a sunlit window:

It may not be quite the grandeur of Ste. Chappelle, but it's impressive in its own way!

A quick and easy way to achieve the stained glass effect is to stamp directly onto colorful designer paper as I did with this Sunset Butterfly card:

Stamps: Large Oval Stained Glass, Butterfly 4 Corner Background, Silhouette Butterfly. Ink: Versamark Onyx Black. Cardstock: Basic Black, white, scrap DP. Accessories: Top Note die, oval Nestabilities, black dotted organdy ribbon.

Stamping directly onto DP works best with bold images, like the silhouette butterfly. And this technique has the advantage of helping you use up your ancient stash of cardstock!

I've had so much fun playing with this stained glass stamp that I still have a couple more projects in the wings, especially designed for St. Patrick's Day. In the meantime, be sure to check out all the amazing stained glass projects created by the DRS Designs' Design Team for the current blog challenge!

Blogging Award Catch Up Time!

I'm so far behind on acknowledging these blog awards that it's verging on rude! That definitely isn't my intention; I intend to catch up on not only thanking my blogging buddies for thinking of me, but to also pass on the praise. I'll try very hard not repeat awards (even if a blogger is very deserving of the award again). Let's get started!

The first award is Best Blog Comments award given to me by the very talented (and great commenter herself ) Donelda of Wiggy's World:

Sharing creations through blogging is wonderful, but comments are the feedback that keep us going! This award goes out to these ladies who not only leave comments, but also take the time to to be specific (and generous!) with their praise:

1) Tonya (Olde Country Creations)

2) Vicki (Stamped Smiles)

3) Moni (Moni ustvarja )

This One Lovely Blog Award was given to me by fellow DRS Design Team member, Heather (The Best in Life):

Rules of this award:

1. Add the logo to your blog.
2. Link to the person from whom you received this award.
3. Nominate 7 or more blogs.
4. Leave a message on their blog, letting them know they are “One Lovely Blog”

I only have 3 blogs to nominate due to my brand new blogging network:

1. Donelda (Wiggy's World)

2. Lori (Paper Sunshine)

3. Mary (My Cards, My Passion)

The 'This Blog Measures Up Award' is from Chris (Catt's Scratching Post):

Here are the steps for this award:

1. Say one nice thing to the man in your life: My husband is the most an amazing Daddy!

2.List at least six ways you measure success in your life: my children, my friends, my health, being able to help others, finding time for myself, and being financially secure enough to have time for all the above!

This award goes out to:

1. Kristine (Ink Something )

2. Carolyn (PMS)

3. Melissa (Stamp it, Scrap it, Share it)

The final two awards are these:

Even though I sifted through dozens of post comments, I could not find the person who sent me these awards. Isn't that terrible? If you see this post, and it's you that I'm neglecting, please let me know and I'll give credit where credit is due!

Lesson learned: respond to blog awards ASAP. It's not only the polite thing to do, but it's also the easiest way to go!

Thanks again to all my blogging buddies for recognizing me with these awards!!

Footprints on Your Heart

As someone who went through a total of 21 years of school to become a veterinarian (and we won't even mention the student loan debt!), you can probably understand that I love animals. Even though my vet career is on indefinite hold while my 'mom career' proceeds, I still find ways to connect with all living things. One way is to have several furry and not so furry members in our household and another is to feature them as subjects on my cards.

Today's DRS blog posting also showcases these 'Pet Project' cards. The DRS sentiment Pet Sympathy Greetings is perfect for sending condolences to someone saying goodbye to an old friend:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Pet Sympathy Greeting , Dog Paw Easy Background , Square Silhouette Flowers Ribbon Slide. Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark. Cardstock: Brocade Blue, Black, Textured Silver, GP110 white. Accessories: pet ribbon, silver EP.

And if only the top half of the sentiment is used, it's also perfect for those saying hello to a new pet. The inside panel would read 'Congratulations on your new kitten!':

Stamps by DRS Designs: Pet Sympathy Greeting ,Happy Cat Sitting , Large Original Plaid . Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Pretty in Pink. Cardstock: Basic Grey, Pretty in Pink, GP110 white. Accessoried: Prismacolor pencils, turpenoid, circle Nestabilities, Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon, scallop border punch, white gel pen.

Finally, a pet card for 'just because':

Stamps: Hanna Stamps 'Large Dogs', Jessica Lynn Originals sentiment and paw print. Cardstock: Kraft, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, GP110 white. Ink: Chocolate Chip, Stazon, Versafine Onyx black, copic cool grey 01. Accessories: Prismacolor penicls, turpenoid, CB tags, circle punch, oval and rectangle Nestabilities, organdy heart ribbon from Target $1 spot.

Wouldn't it be easier to be as good as a cat thinks you are? Our cat made it to 19 1/2 years with us before giving up her ninth life, but I think if she could have figured out how to use a can opener, we would have been unnecessary. Guess that's why we have both dogs and cats -- dogs to build us up and cats to keep us humble!

Paper Doll Fun

Remember playing with paper dolls as a child? How about creating your own fashions for them? The technique of paper piecing is a slightly more grown up version of this childhood activity and still just as fun!


Take one Magnolia-licous sketch challenge for February:

Then add brand-new DP by Basic Grey and newly received Magnolia stamps from KL Scrappin' N Stampin' and what do you have? My latest paper pieced Tilda (her overalls, shoes, and even bench are pieced), using 'Porcelain' DP by Basic Grey:

Stamps: Tilda in Coveralls , Penny Black sentiment. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Chocolate Chip, copics. Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke, Basic Grey 'Porcelain' DP, GP110 white. Accesories: antique copper brads, white gel pen.


In case you haven't noticed, I'm a big fan of sentiment stamps (does that make me a sentimental fool??) and this one by Penny Black is real winner:

Don't you wish that living in the moment was as easy as stressing about tomorrow??

Be sure to check out the KLSNS Design Team blog for more detail photos of this card and other examples of paper pieced Magnolia images.

**Don't miss the March KL Scrappin' N Stampin' Girls challenge over on PaperCraft Planet; upload your paper pieced card for a chance to win a great prize. The winner will receive a Magnolia stamp AND a 6" x 6" pack of Basic Grey paper to continue creating their own paper pieced masterpieces!

Blog Candy Winner!!

Congratulations going out to Tonya (Olde Country Creations) for posting comment #21, the number chosen by Random.org! Tonya wrote:

Congratulations on hitting your 1000 mark! >:0) I LOVE what you are offering up as candy. I have never tried House Mouse stamps but have admired them for years. I ADORE the magnolia images and Basic Grey paper is the yummiest. Love the embellishments and who would not love a gift certificate to KL........I could buy my very own Magnolia stamp. Woo Hoo fingers and toes crossed!I am a follower and I have added a picture and link in the sidebar of my blog. Thanks so very, very much for the opportunity to win these awesome goodies. Tonya


Thanks to everyone who commented, subscribed, and/or passed on the word about my new blog. Not only did we surpass my goal of 1,500 comments, but we're very close to 2,000. Sounds like it won't be long before blog candy is up again!

Thanks again for all your support!

Blog candy!!

A friend recently pointed out that my blog counter has posted over 1,000 hits -- woo hoo! And we know what that means: blog candy giveaway!! This is my first time offering blog candy, so let me know if you like what's up for grabs:

Here's what's included: 6" x 6" Basic Grey 'Sugared' Designer Paper pad, assortments of coordinating primas and buttons, 1 yard each of chocolate rick-rack and green dotted organdy, and 12 of my current favorite Magnolia and House Mouse images! And guess what else -- Kelly from KL Scrappin N Stampin has generously donated a $10 gift certificate to her web store!!

Here's what you need to do to be entered in the drawing:

1) Become a Follower and/or Subscribe to this blog (see links on right side panel).

2) Announce and link the blog candy post on your blog. If you don't have a blog, let your friends know however you best see fit.

3) Comment on this posting to let me know you've accomplished the first two items and you are set!

The winner will be chosen via random.org on March 1st. My goal is to be up to 1,500 hits by that time so we'll have even more reasons to celebrate!